Behind Empty Tummies
By Nihaya Ariraya
University of the Philippines, BS Management
“O you who are confirmed in faith, fasting is prescribed upon you as it was prescribed on those before you, that (through it) you may attain taqwa.” (Quran 2:183)
For five consecutive years of not having been able to celebrate Ramadhan in my hometown, Marawi City, which is the only Islamic city in the Philippines, I have been exposed to the different judgments and views of non-Muslims which are more often than not – twisted. When I was younger, I was totally indifferent of the illogical views of the rest of the populace or what I used to call the outside world. I didn’t realize the naivete I had in me until I moved to another city which is considered the birthplace of Christianity in the country.
‘So you won’t be eating for thirty days straight? That’s gruesome!’ This is just one of the many dreary interpretations of Ramadhan that I encountered in Cebu, the city where I had to continue my classes where I was the only one who wore a veil around my neck. Answering questions such as this became a routine. However, what was more challenging was fasting away from home while staying in a place where feasts were everywhere. It also seemed more than a little depressing not being able to hear the call-to-prayers that are read aloud around our city. It was indeed difficult cooking your own food, buying your own drinks, and reading your own prayers at home instead of being at the mosque listening to imams preach and lead a prayer for everybody. For five years, fasting in the month of Ramadhan seemed too onerous for me until Papa told me a few poignant words which took me a day to understand –you fast to feed the soul.
People usually associate fasting as the key objective of this holy month. Some would even say that we empty our tummies and dry our throats all for the sake of religion and self-punishment for our sins. For some people, it is a month of piousness; for some, it is a month of patience, abstinence, and subsistence. Ramadhan, however, should be viewed more than what is conspicuous. Strictly speaking, Ramadhan is not just about dos and don’ts and/or multiplied prayer times, not even a month-long feast. One might ask, ‘What is it for then?’
The month of Ramadhan is like an opportunity for Muslims to reflect on whether or not they have went astray. Ramadhan is parallel to a training ground where Muslims stop over at, not only for the sake of correcting sinful ways but also for a spiritual make-over. The goal is to create a totally replenished you, all sins washed away with honest prayers and sacrifices. Generally, it starts with the basic restriction of food and drinks when the sun’s rays are still visible.
Fasting, however, also involves abstaining from smoking, lying, backbiting, eavesdropping, cussing, making use of other people’s belongings without permission, and other sins that we usually consider minor (which, of course, are faulty). The whole point of fasting is not about surviving a couple of hours without food and water. Rather, it is about strengthening faith when we realize how some people are deprived of the basic necessities in life; when we learn how it feels to live like those who live in austerity; when we find out that it is always God to whom we should always turn to for help especially in times when we need to ease our suffering. When we come to realize these, we begin to give a portion of our wealth to the needy (known in Arabic as zakat).
Therefore, we fast in the month of Ramadhan to develop both a stronger faith and fear of God. We fast in the month of Ramadhan to be more aware of other people’s predicaments, be more socially responsible and boost social consciousness. We fast because we want a healthier body and scientists have proven this paradox. We fast in the month of Ramadhan because it is the month when the first few verses of the Qur’an were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.)
Furthermore, Muslims not only fast for themselves. Whenever a Muslim sincerely submits herself or himself to God’s will, it is almost equivalent to promoting peace all over the world. (Worldwide peace is directly attributed to one’s initiative to become a better person.)
To sum it all up, the idea of fasting isn’t really what Ramadhan ought to be equated to, but rather, a month to intensify faith in and fear of Allah thereby becoming a better person for others – Muslims and non-Muslims alike. True enough, it is the soul that we feed.
University of the Philippines, BS Management
“O you who are confirmed in faith, fasting is prescribed upon you as it was prescribed on those before you, that (through it) you may attain taqwa.” (Quran 2:183)
For five consecutive years of not having been able to celebrate Ramadhan in my hometown, Marawi City, which is the only Islamic city in the Philippines, I have been exposed to the different judgments and views of non-Muslims which are more often than not – twisted. When I was younger, I was totally indifferent of the illogical views of the rest of the populace or what I used to call the outside world. I didn’t realize the naivete I had in me until I moved to another city which is considered the birthplace of Christianity in the country.
‘So you won’t be eating for thirty days straight? That’s gruesome!’ This is just one of the many dreary interpretations of Ramadhan that I encountered in Cebu, the city where I had to continue my classes where I was the only one who wore a veil around my neck. Answering questions such as this became a routine. However, what was more challenging was fasting away from home while staying in a place where feasts were everywhere. It also seemed more than a little depressing not being able to hear the call-to-prayers that are read aloud around our city. It was indeed difficult cooking your own food, buying your own drinks, and reading your own prayers at home instead of being at the mosque listening to imams preach and lead a prayer for everybody. For five years, fasting in the month of Ramadhan seemed too onerous for me until Papa told me a few poignant words which took me a day to understand –you fast to feed the soul.
People usually associate fasting as the key objective of this holy month. Some would even say that we empty our tummies and dry our throats all for the sake of religion and self-punishment for our sins. For some people, it is a month of piousness; for some, it is a month of patience, abstinence, and subsistence. Ramadhan, however, should be viewed more than what is conspicuous. Strictly speaking, Ramadhan is not just about dos and don’ts and/or multiplied prayer times, not even a month-long feast. One might ask, ‘What is it for then?’
The month of Ramadhan is like an opportunity for Muslims to reflect on whether or not they have went astray. Ramadhan is parallel to a training ground where Muslims stop over at, not only for the sake of correcting sinful ways but also for a spiritual make-over. The goal is to create a totally replenished you, all sins washed away with honest prayers and sacrifices. Generally, it starts with the basic restriction of food and drinks when the sun’s rays are still visible.
Fasting, however, also involves abstaining from smoking, lying, backbiting, eavesdropping, cussing, making use of other people’s belongings without permission, and other sins that we usually consider minor (which, of course, are faulty). The whole point of fasting is not about surviving a couple of hours without food and water. Rather, it is about strengthening faith when we realize how some people are deprived of the basic necessities in life; when we learn how it feels to live like those who live in austerity; when we find out that it is always God to whom we should always turn to for help especially in times when we need to ease our suffering. When we come to realize these, we begin to give a portion of our wealth to the needy (known in Arabic as zakat).
Therefore, we fast in the month of Ramadhan to develop both a stronger faith and fear of God. We fast in the month of Ramadhan to be more aware of other people’s predicaments, be more socially responsible and boost social consciousness. We fast because we want a healthier body and scientists have proven this paradox. We fast in the month of Ramadhan because it is the month when the first few verses of the Qur’an were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.)
Furthermore, Muslims not only fast for themselves. Whenever a Muslim sincerely submits herself or himself to God’s will, it is almost equivalent to promoting peace all over the world. (Worldwide peace is directly attributed to one’s initiative to become a better person.)
To sum it all up, the idea of fasting isn’t really what Ramadhan ought to be equated to, but rather, a month to intensify faith in and fear of Allah thereby becoming a better person for others – Muslims and non-Muslims alike. True enough, it is the soul that we feed.
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The opinions expressed by the authors and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not necessarily reflect the official stand of OPAPP.
OPAPP makes no representations as to the accuracy or completeness of any information on this site or found by following any link on this site. It will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information nor for the availability of this information. It will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages from the display or use of this information.
OPAPP reserves the right to edit or delete any comments submitted to this blog without notice due to profanity, language or concepts that could be deemed offensive, and spam or questionable spam.
This policy is subject to change anytime.
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